In 2012, he sought to become his party's nominee to replace retiring Olympia Snowe but lost in the primary to State Senator Cynthia Dill.

Prior to entering politics, he worked in a variety of jobs including as a textile worker, fur trapper, publishing editor, radio talk-show host, cook, waiter, and bartender.

[8] He opposed the banning of deer decoys[9] and the ultimately unsuccessful 2004 Question 2 referendum, which in his opinion would end bear hunting in the state.

[15] During his tenure as secretary of state, Dunlap oversaw the modernization of the way the Secretary of State's office delivers services to the public electronically and directed the implementation of Maine's Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, allowing military personnel and others abroad secure and prompt access to the ballot.

[15] After the Republican Party took control of the Maine Legislature in 2010, Dunlap was succeeded by State Senator Charlie Summers following a vote of 53% to 47%.

In addition to his service as Maine Secretary of State, he was also a member of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity from May, 2017 to January, 2018.

[28] In November 2011, Dunlap took out the necessary paperwork to run against incumbent three-term Republican Olympia Snowe,[29] who subsequently announced on February 28, 2012, that she had decided not to seek reelection.

On March 14, 2012, Dunlap filed with the office of the Maine Secretary of State the signatures necessary to qualify for the June primary ballot.

Dill went on to finish third in the general election, behind Republican Charlie Summers and the winner, independent Angus King.

[31] Dunlap is a founder of the Maine Youth Fish and Game Association and has served on the vestry of St. James' Episcopal Church in Old Town.